WHO WE ARE
Open House Essen is the first German edition of the international architecture festival Open House Worldwide (www.openhouseworldwide.org). The festival invites people to explore the city and encourages public dialogue between citizens and experts.
That this wonderful architecture festival has existed in Germany for several years now – right in the heart of the Ruhr region! – is thanks mainly to two things: first, that our founder, Natalia Taranta, who was still based in Poland at the time, came up with what seemed like a daring idea during a visit to Essen in 2020 – to launch Open House right here – and pursued and realized this plan despite all doubts along the way. And second, that over time, more and more amazing people and institutions have joined in to support Open House Essen: by helping behind the scenes with organization and preparation, by assisting during the festival weekend, by opening their buildings and offering tours, or by providing support that allows this wonderful project to keep growing and evolving each year.
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With free admission to all events, we enable a diverse audience – regardless of age, background, gender, education, or architectural knowledge – to take part in the experience. It’s about participation for everyone: tourists, former residents, and future ones alike. Everyone should have the chance to exchange opinions, share ideas, and join the conversation about the city. The festival brings together experts and users, emphasizing the role of active citizens who contribute to shaping a well-designed urban environment.
Open House Europe, an international cooperation project, was launched in 2023. The project promotes an inclusive debate about architecture and strengthens the role of architecture as a positive driving force in addressing pressing social and environmental challenges. The opening event took place on March 3, 2023, at the National Gallery of Art in Vilnius, Lithuania, hosted by the project coordinator Architektūros fondas.
Open House Worldwide is a network of 60 organizations that host festivals and conversations about architecture, design, and cities around the globe. In 2023, nearly 610,000 people took part in Open House festivals, with over 1.8 million visits to buildings and events — supported by 13,500 volunteers. Together, Open House Worldwide represents the largest celebration of the urban landscape in the world. The network is a project of Open City, a nonprofit organization registered as a charity in the United Kingdom.
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Since 1992, Open House Worldwide has been engaging citizens — especially those from underrepresented communities — in exploring architecture and urban design, encouraging them to take an active role in shaping their own future.